Rue and Brazilian peppertree essential oils inhibit the germination and initial development of the invasive plant lovegrass

Lovegrass (Eragrostis plana) is the most important invasive plant in pastures of southern Brazil. The research evaluated the potential of Ruta graveolens (rue) and Schinus terebinthifolius (Brazilian peppertree) essential oils (EOs) to inhibit germination and initial development of lovegrass. The in vitro treatments tested were control (distilled water), alcohol control, 0.001, 0.005, 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1% (v/v) of both EOs. Higher concentrations of these EOs were applied to germinated plants under greenhouse conditions. The EOs of both species were effective in reducing lovegrass germination, with emphasis on rue. Height and shoot dry mass, at greenhouse conditions, were significantly reduced by both EOs, especially when applied at a concentration of 1%. The results point to the potential of rue and Brazilian peppertree EOs for the formulation of natural herbicides.